Big match focus: Bristol City v North End

MEET THE BOSS: Lee JohnsonHe was appointed Bristol City's head coach in February, succeeding Steve Cotterill who was dismissed 48 hours after Preston's 2-1 win at Ashton Gate the previous month.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Dec 2016, 10:00 BST
Robins boss Lee JohnsonRobins boss Lee Johnson
Robins boss Lee Johnson

Johnson was managing Barnsley at the time but was lured away to return to the club he served as a player, making nearly 200 appearances. His first managerial post had been at Oldham Atheltic, taking the Boundary Park job in 2013 at the age of 31.

MEET THE REF: Simon Hooper

The Wiltshire official is in charge of Preston’s visit to Ashton Gate. Earlier this season, Mr Hooper was in the middle for North End’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Bournemouth in the League Cup. Last term, he refereed PNE’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich and the 3-0 win over Charlton. In the summer he was appointed to the Select group 2 panel of referees in the Championship. This will be his 13th Championship game of the season.

THIS WEEK...

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42 years ago: On November 14, 1974, Preston travelled to the North East and beat non-league Bishop Auckland 2-0 in the second round of the FA Cup. The goals came from Tony Morley and player/manager Bobby Charlton.

38 years ago: This week in December 1978, North End beat Charlton Athletic 6-1 at Deepdale. It was the club’s first season back in the Second Division and this win came in a run which put them back on track after a bad run. Eric Potts and Alex Bruce both scored twice, with Michael Robinson and Gordon Coleman netting the other two goals

20 years ago: On December 13, 1996, Preston met 
rivals Blackpool at Deepdale in a televised game and 
ran out 3-0 winners. Substitute Gary Bennett came off the bench to score twice, those goals sandwiching an effort from David Reeves.

Related topics:PrestonBristol CityAshton Gate